Just a couple of notes:

1. If you haven't read the first part to this story, you may want to. You might miss jokes that I may reference, etc. This story starts pretty much right where the first part ends.

2. I am quite shocked that I haven't received any new followers...or reviews. Makes me quite sad, but I am still writing this. I hope you enjoy it!

Waterfall Eclipse II: The Lost Clan

Chapter Three:

Lieutenant Hitsugaya was not happy when Sunday morning came around. She had all but been relieved from her recurring nightmare, but as luck would have it, the old medicinal tea stopped working on her and it had returned. She jolted herself awake at roughly one in the morning. She could tell her heart rate had increased, which meant it was more harrowing than she wanted to let anyone to know. Rani inhaled and slowly exhaled. She glanced over at her husband, who was sound asleep, and sighed.

"Get it together, Rani. It was just a dream." she thought to herself as she laid back down. She felt Toshiro's arm wrap over her stomach. "You're awake?" she asked softly worried that she disturbed his slumber.

"It's okay." he murmured.

If Rani was lucky, he wouldn't bring it up in the morning. In fact, she prayed that he wouldn't.

Six hours later, and after a semi peaceful remaining sleep, the couple were enjoying a nice breakfast together.

"So, aside from the random hollow attacks in the Living World, nothing much is going on lately, right?"

"Yeah, which is a very good thing. This era of peace is something we greatly need." Toshiro replied. "What did you want to do today? It's rare I have a Sunday off with you." he inquired. "And you said you had something you wanted to tell me regarding tomorrow?"

"Oh, right. I've been invited to join the Kuchikis for dinner tomorrow night. You are invited as well, but Captain Kuchiki said that you did not have to come if you weren't up for it."

Toshiro, with his tea cup almost to his mouth, froze and looked at her. He shook his head slightly as he put his cup down.

"I'll have to let you know. What time is dinner, if, I do decide to join you there?"

Rani grinned.

"Five thirty." she answered. "Don't force yourself to attend if you don't want to. I'll give you a full report later about all that was said."

Toshiro scratched his head as he continued to read the paper in front of him and eat his breakfast.

"I think we are in need of a getaway to the Living World soon."

Rani choked.

"That was out of nowhere. Usually you aren't the one to suggest time off."

"Yeah, but things are different now, right? I mean, I am married now. We should try to spend as much time together as we can, no?"

Rani was beside herself.

"Yeah, but even I know you have a routine that you like to follow. Changing it completely around because you're now married doesn't seem like something you'd be willing to do just like that."

"So you don't want to spend more time with me?"

"I never said that. Don't put words in my mouth." she half scolded. "I have to work hard again to earn my leave, as do you."

He smiled. As a lieutenant, he found she was even more dedicated and focused on her work, and he admired his wife for that.

"How's that one officer doing?"

"Hm? Which one?"

"The one who asked to speak with you, who had a semi-similar background to you."

Rani was quiet for a few moments before realizing who he was referring to.

"Oh, you mean Onishi Mei?" she questioned. He nodded in confirmation. "She's doing well. I swear she'd be better suited in Squad Four after she cured my cold that one time, but she enjoys our squad."

"I think that's because she can come and talk to you."

"Yeah, I do leave my office open for all rookies, but she takes advantage of that 'open door policy' more times than I would care to admit."

"Well, technically, you aren't much older than her," he started, "So maybe she feels as if you are more like an older sister?"

"Well, when you put it that way, I would have to agree." Rani said with a huge grin. "I guess I have that aura around me."

"Yeah, well, look at Lily. She still looks up to you for guidance."

"You say that like it's a bad thing."

"Didn't mean to." he commented before getting quiet, which did not go unnoticed by his wife.

"What is it?" she asked concerned. "Are you okay?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" he asked in a very calm manner, hinting at her restless night.

Rani curled her lips in after realizing what he was talking about.

"Sorry."

"Rani, you need to really talk to someone about this problem of yours."

"I know. I don't know who else I can turn to and ask about this nightmare. I mean, it has been going on for months, randomly appearing."

"It's not a normal dream or nightmare though. Not after all of this time." Toshiro commented as he stood up and grabbed his plate and cup. "Are you finished?"

Rani looked at her mostly eaten plate and nodded. He carefully picked everything up and brought it over to the sink.

"Where is your lieutenant? I thought for sure by now that she would make an appearance."

Toshiro let out a small chuckle.

"She'll be here soon worried she did something wrong, I am sure, but I would rather not be here when she does decide to come complaining to me."

Rani smiled as she got up.

"I do agree with you that it's not a normal nightmare. I have bits and pieces, like I am watching some long video in the wrong order."

"You think it's a memory?"

"A memory? Of my life before I was found in the Rukongai?" he nodded. "How could that be? Wouldn't I have just been a toddler that died in the Living World?"

"Hmm..that is how it usually happens. Something else could have occurred though."

"Toshiro, you are making me worried about my own history."

"Think about it. You have that comb…with that crest, which did seem to put your captain on edge just a tad, and his grandfather." he started. "And they have yet to tell you about it. It's been months since they had it and gave it back to you without a word. Aren't you the least bit curious to know what they know already, but are refusing to tell you?"

"Is that a hypothetical question, or do you really want me to answer that?"

"That depends. Do you want to actually answer it?"

Rani, with clenched fists, inhaled and let out a huge sigh.

"I think I have my answer." he said and then kissed her on her forehead. "We can bring it up tomorrow at dinner."

"'We'? You're coming?"

"I am now. I am actually curious as to why it has taken them months to tell you about the crest and comb."

She gave her husband a half smile, clearly showing that she was actually worried about what they might possibly be told the following evening, if anything. Once he washed the dishes, the two headed into the living room. He made his way to his favorite chair and sat down.

"Not planning on doing anything?"

"There's nothing really I want to do. It's quiet today. And you are noticeably tired."

She raised an eyebrow at that.

"Yes, but I don't want to sleep all day and do nothing. Wasting a precious day off together when neither of us requested it is extremely rare."

"Is there something you want to do?"

"Hmm…" she started as she thought. "We could visit your grandmother. It has been a while, and I am sure she'd love to see you."

"We could. But do you want to get hammered by questions on why you aren't pregnant yet?"

"She won't do that." Rani said confidently. "I think she has learned since the last time."

Toshiro smiled as he stood up.

"Come on. Let's go see her." he eventually agreed.

Rani followed with a smile as she caught up to him and put her hand in his.

~With Rangiku~

Lieutenant Matsumoto was surprisingly not sleeping on the job when a new pile of documents made its way into the Squad Ten captain's office.

"UGH! More?" she whined.

"Sorry, Lieutenant Matsumoto." the shinigami apologized, but clearly smirking.

"I really wish his random day off wasn't today. I hate work."

The shinigami left her with the mountains of paperwork that she was very slowly working on, much to her dismay. However, about ten minutes into it, she decided to take a nap.

~At the Kuchiki Manor~

Lady Kuchiki Lily hit her head on the table she sat at for who knows the exact count for the day. She was still not finding what she needed, and she believed her eyes were going to pop out of her head from all of the text from the history she was reading. Sure, she had another clue, and it minimized her search, but it did not minimize it enough for her to become successful in her 'secret' mission for her father.

In her frustrated state, she let out a rather large moan that echoed inside the private hall of records on the Kuchiki Manor grounds before deciding to get up and take a walk outside to clear her head.

Fifteen minutes later, she ventured back into the gloomy hall and took a walk around the stacks again to make sure she didn't miss a volume of a book. As she walked she passed the locked door again and sighed.

"I wonder if someone will let me in there." she let her thoughts become sound as she stated out loud.

Lily then made her way back to her table to find Rukia glancing through one of the books.

"Aunt Rukia." Lily greeted as she approached.

"Taking a break, or finding more books?"

Lily grinned.

"A bit of both, I suppose. I took a walk outside earlier and decided to check the stacks again from where I was this morning." the young girl answered. "Can I help you with something?"

"Nah, I was just seeing how you were making out. You have until tomorrow evening, right? Before your deadline?"

"Yes." Lily replied sadly. "But I don't know how much I am going to get done. Rani will be here tomorrow, and she's staying for dinner. I don't want to bore her with keeping her locked up in here."

Rukia smiled.

"You know, I don't think Rani is the type of person who would mind. She may actually want to help you complete your mission, if you asked her." she commented and then paused. "Plus, since your mission is in regards to her, she may be even more inclined to help."

"You know?"

"Well, I know the general summary of your mission by your father, but I don't know why he wouldn't be more specific. Then again, I think he may want to see how your problem-solving is."

"Problem solving? Am I supposed to think of his clues as part of some kind of equation?"

"That's a good way of thinking about it."

"So, add all of the clues up to this point?" Rukia nodded as Lily thought.

"Anything coming together?"

"Well, thinking back on it, in the beginning I did only have the 'volume twelve' and 'something that might help Rani' clues from daddy."

"And what did you do?"

"Started to read all of the volume twelves from every series in order to find something that might pertain to her."

"Okay, so what was your next clue?"

"Umm..well this morning I saw that the word 'clans' was written on the same scrap piece of paper as 'volume twelve'." Lily answered and then looked at her aunt. "And I decided to focus on the clan history volumes. Although I don't have all of them"

Rukia smiled.

"So, add up the three."

Lily was silent.

"I'm confused."

Rukia shook her head as she smiled.

"Daddy wants me to actually help Rani figure out her past, right?" it eventually dawned on the poor girl.

"Yes."

"So the 'clans' clue?"

"Think of how old Rani is, but remember that she may be even slightly older than you think. I can't be sure." Rukia started. "Byakuya might kill me for this, but remember the crest on Rani's comb?" Lily nodded. "Look more at images than names."

Lily beamed a huge grin at her aunt for the help she gave.

"I won't tell daddy if you won't."

"Good. I will come and get you for dinner."

Rukia left Lily to her own devices as she made her way outside the records hall. Luckily this was one of Byakuya's normally scheduled work days and he was not due back until right before dinner.

Lily, meanwhile, started to look at all of the table of contents for the images of the family crests to see if she could see the one from Rani's comb. Although her memory was a little foggy from how it actually looked, Lily found a few similar looking crests and went to the according pages to read up on those clans.

By the time Rukia came back, Lily had a minimal pile of books on her table, and all were opened to different clans.

"How'd you make out?"

"Eh, so-so. I can't remember the crest completely. I need to see it again."

Rukia looked over at the books that were open to see if any of them looked familiar.

"Well, this one and this one," she said as she pulled two books closer, "look very similar to Rani's comb, but it has been a while."

"I thought so too."

"Well, take another break and let's get you ready for dinner, shall we?"

"Yes!"

~With the Hitsugayas~

The following morning Rani woke up in a semi disturbed state, and Toshiro did not stay quiet this time.

"Nightmare again?" he asked as he turned to face her. He noticed some of her hair in her face and gently brushed them away as she fluttered her eyes open.

"Eh, well, maybe a bit let nightmarish, but more worrysome."

"Still linked with the nightmare part?"

"Yes." she sadly admitted. "Like I stated earlier, it's like a story that's not showing me everything in the right order. And I am not living it, just watching everything unfold."

"What was it about this time?"

Rani was hesitant to answer him, mainly because she wasn't sure how to describe it.

"Well, it was like it was the aftermath of a battle. A lot of Shinigami were there, the former captain-commander included, and Captain Kuchiki." her volume getting softer.

"Have you forgotten it already?" he asked after giving her a few moments of silence.

"No. I don't think I will ever forget these pieces."

Toshiro was quiet as he carefully sat up.

"I wonder if Kurotsuchi could help you." he absentmindedly stated as she copied her husband.

"Seriously? I have had enough of his lab to last a lifetime."

"Ah, so have I." Toshiro agreed. "But I wonder if he knows of a way to make it so you stay asleep through the whole dream."

Rani deadpanned.

"And it would be even greater if he had a way to show what I was seeing to anyone wanting to know."

"You know, he may have that technology." he teased as he leaned over to her. He then kissed her forehead. "Come on. There's a certain Lady Kuchiki that's waiting for your company."

Rani smiled. She then yawned before getting up and getting ready. After a quick breakfast, she took a slow walk to the Kuchiki manor and was greeted by Hayashi.

"Good morning, Mrs. Hitsugaya."

"Good morning Hayashi. Is Lily in her studio?"

"Oh, ah, no." Hayashi said nervously. "I am here to escort you to where she is though."

"Oh, okay. Lead the way!"

Hayashi was quiet as she lead Rani to the hall of records.

"What is this place?"

"It is the Kuchiki family's personal hall of records." the servant answered as she opened the door. "You will find Lady Lily down the first aisle at a table."

"Thank you." Rani replied.

She made her way through the tall stacks and wondered what Lily was doing in here. She found a table with quite a number of books opened on it and looked around to see if she could see Lily walking around.

"Lily!" Rani eventually called.

"I'm here!" she heard a voice call back. "Are you at the table, Rani?"

Rani heard footsteps coming toward her at a quickened pace and smiled.

"Yes." she answered as Lily made it to her. "Now you want to tell me why you are in here?"

"Oh, um, well, I think it was meant to be a surprise, but daddy has had me in here reading about the Seireitei."

"Oh really?" Rani inquired with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, and I had clues too. I guess to focus." Lily said with a grin as she pulled out the piece of paper and handed it to her. "Now, before you say anything, my clues went as follows: 'volume twelve', 'may find something to help Lieutenant Hitsugaya', and 'clans'."

"Wait - hold up - might find something to help me?" Rani said as she scratched her head.

"Yeah, I didn't get it either. I had seven days. Today is my last one, and since I have started I wasn't really making any progress."

"What changed?"

"Aunt Rukia's help." Lily answered with a huge smile. "Daddy can be so mean, but she was great."

Rani couldn't help but smile.

"How did she help?"

"Well, she helped me narrow down where to look, or rather what to look for. Speaking of, can I see your comb?"

"My comb?" Rani questioned and then took it out. She handed it to Lily confused as she watched the young girl. "Why?"

"See these crests?"

"Yeah, but none of them match."

"I thought that was going to happen. Looks like I will have to ask daddy for help again. And I want to find out where that door leads."

"What door?"

Lily sat straight up in her seat and grinned. She handed Rani back her comb.

"Follow me."

Rani did as she was told and followed Lily through the massive records hall to the door that Lily found earlier in the day.

"Wow." Rani said as she went to reach for the handle and jiggled it. "Hmph!"

"Yeah, I am so mad that it's locked. I want to know why it is, and if I can go in. Or do I have to be an adult, or part of the Gotei 13 to be allowed inside."

"Good questions, but I think asking your dad for permission to enter here might be a bad idea."

"Ah, yes, but I also didn't show you what else I found." Lily said as she led Rani to the stacks nearby. "See this list?"

"Yes. What about it?"

"Well, this is a list of all books and volumes that are in that specific stack."

"One is crossed off."

"Yes!" Lily said enthusiastically. "But it wasn't crossed off of another list I found."

"Clinical error?"

Lily giggled and Rani smiled.

"Doubtful. Not in the Kuchiki family." Lily commented. "You know how meticulous this family is."

"True." Rani said with a shrug.

"So, I was thinking that that book is actually in that locked room. Hidden away."

"Is that a volume you need?"

"Maybe? I don't know." Lily replied as the two walked back to her where her table was. "But I do know I am getting closer to finding that crest on your comb."

"Something is off, that much I can agree with." Rani stated. "So, are we going to stay in here, or did you want a break?"

"I've been reading and reading and my eyes are exhausted. Let's go outside."

"Good. It's a beautiful day and you shouldn't be cooped up in a hall of records."

"Funny. Daddy didn't want me cooped up in a painting studio, apparently."

Rani shook her head. The two then headed outside and walked around and talked about various topics, including how Rani's married life was going and how Lily's paintings were coming along, which for obvious reasons, were put on hold temporarily. Around a quarter after five, Lily headed to her room to freshen up while Rani met a nervous Toshiro at the front gate.

I will have more of the dream soon, hopefully I can put it in the next chapter somewhere. The dream itself is typed out. My problem is which sections to copy and paste into the new chapter for you folks to read. Then again, I do have a plan to insert the whole thing into a chapter soon.

This continuation of WE-I might only be ten chapters, the most, especially since my chapters are coming out to be 10 pages (sometimes a bit more).

Well, I hope you enjoyed this. Please give me your input. Thanks!

~Kirby42280~